You may think that you’ll never be the victim of a dog bite, but over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. every year. Even if you don’t own a pet yourself, you’re still at risk of becoming a dog bite victim — many bites happen without warning and involve a stranger’s animal. In the moments after a dog bite, you may wonder what to do next. When should you be concerned, and when is it essential to seek medical attention? Even if you experience a mild dog bite, you may still need to see a doctor to confirm that you’re ok. Being proactive and taking the proper steps after a dog bite is important because there are multiple health risks to consider.
What To Do After A North Carolina Dog Bite
The first thing you should do after a dog bite is ensure that you don’t need immediate medical attention. If you have deep gashes, are losing a significant amount of blood, or have any severed body parts, someone should promptly call an ambulance. Otherwise, it’s essential to document as much of the scene as possible. Get the dog owner’s contact information, and take pictures of your injuries, the dog, and where the attack occurred. This evidence could be helpful if you file a dog bite lawsuit. You should also determine the severity of the bite. According to an article published in the JAMA Network Open medical journal, these are the most critical steps.
Wash the Wound: Wash the wound with warm soap and water. Cleaning the bite mark can make it easier for the wound to heal.
Assess Injuries: If you have a mild dog bite injury, you can dry the wound and apply a sterile bandage. For more severe injuries that are bleeding or causing serious pain, it’s essential to seek medical care as soon as you can.
Monitor Symptoms: Monitor your symptoms and seek emergency care if you develop a fever, extreme pain, swelling, redness, or a loss of mobility. These are all signs of a serious infection.
Inquire About Vaccinations: Did the dog that bit you have its rabies shot? Knowing whether the animal was vaccinated is crucial because rabies has a near 100% fatality rate in humans. You should seek medical care if you’re unsure about the dog’s vaccination status.
Dog Bite Levels
Veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar developed a dog bite scale to rank bites. The scale is one way to quickly identify the severity of a bite and whether someone might need to seek medical attention.
Level 1: Level one dog bites aren’t actual bites; instead, they occur when a dog acts aggressively in hopes of scaring away another animal or a human. A dog might show its teeth, growl, or snap at someone’s clothes. In some cases, dogs are afraid when they respond this way.
Level 2: Level two bites happen when a dog makes contact with skin with its teeth but doesn’t puncture the skin. People who experience these bites may not need medical attention because the risk of infection is low, but they might choose to be examined out of caution.
Most dog encounters fall into the first two categories, and the following categories are more likely to result in injuries.
Level 3: Level three bites occur when a dog leaves a shallow bite no deeper than a tooth and creates one to four puncture wounds. At this point, it’s important to be examined by a medical professional.
Level 4: These bites are similar to level 3, but a dog creates deeper wounds and may also leave bruises from shaking its head side to side with skin in its mouth. These bites are typically an emergency.
Level 5: When a dog leaves multiple deep bites, it’s a level five dog bite. In this case, seeking medical attention as soon as possible is essential. Victims may be left with permanent scarring and disfiguring injuries.
Level 6: A level six bite is the most tragic possible outcome. In these instances, the victim — whether another animal or a human — dies because of injuries sustained during the attack.
Do You Need Medical Attention?
You may still need medical attention even if a dog bite seems mild. Infection is the primary concern with dog bite injuries; when left untreated, dog bite infections can cause complications leading to sepsis, gangrene, and limb amputation. Here are questions to determine whether you should be concerned about a dog bite.
Did the bite break the skin? Bites that break the skin — even minor — increase the risk of health complications and infection. If a dog bite punctures your skin, keeping an eye on the wound is important.
Are you showing signs of infection? If you’re experiencing a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, discharge from the wound, or swelling, it’s crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Was the animal acting strangely? When a dog is uncharacteristically aggressive, it could be a sign that it has rabies or another disease. If the animal is restless, excessively drooling, or has a slack jaw, you should tell a medical professional about the dog’s symptoms.
Have you had a tetanus shot in the last five years? A dog bite can increase your chances of developing a tetanus infection, which can be life-threatening. If you haven’t had a tetanus booster in recent years, getting one is a good idea.
Did the bite occur in the face or hands? When a dog bites your face or hands, the risk of complications is higher, so it’s a good idea to proactively seek medical attention to ensure the bite doesn’t become infected.
Hiring a North Carolina Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bites can quickly become expensive. Medical expenses and lost wages due to time away from work are two of the most common expenses that dog bite victims face. If a dog bite is severe enough, a victim may need reconstructive surgery or physical therapy, which can rapidly add up. They may develop post-traumatic stress disorder or another mental health condition and require treatment to return to everyday life. Sometimes, a dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance will cover the expenses incurred by a dog bite. However, a dog bite attorney can be invaluable as you attempt to recover what you’ve lost.
If you’re wondering whether you need a dog bite attorney, it’s worth reaching out to a lawyer and scheduling a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. At Whitley Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Our North Carolina dog bite lawyers represent victims across North Carolina and can help you recover the damages you need. Call (919) 785-5000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
The Whitley Law Firm is a family affair—in all the ways that matter. Partner Ben Whitley works with his father and brother to create a formidable force when representing clients. After all, helping injured individuals—people who have the deck stacked against them when fighting corporations—is why the Whitleys got into the business in the first place.
